Trainer Gary Contessa doesn’t feel the same kind of pressure entering this year’s Whirlaway Stakes as he did last year. A year ago, Contessa watched in horror as his 1-4 favorite Eightyfiveinafifty unseated jockey Jorge Chavez and ran loose. In Saturday’s Whirlaway, which drew seven 3-year-olds, Contessa will send out the New York-bred Preachintothedevil, who has already proven himself around two turn.
J W Blue has emerged as the newest candidate for the 3-year-old stakes program at Oaklawn Park after closing from last to win a 1 1/16-mile allowance on Saturday.
I refuse to deploy the words “Kentucky” and “Derby” anywhere in proximity until a certain calendar date has arrived. Now it has. Groundhog Day.
The time off that trainer Tim Ritchey gave Elite Alex to grow into his large frame appears to be working in the horse’s favor this winter at Oaklawn Park. Elite Alex turned in a notable breeze over the weekend and remains on pace to make his stakes debut in the Grade 3, $250,000 Southwest on Feb. 21.
What trainer Rick Violette hopes he has in Rescind the Trade is a 3-year-old worthy of consideration for a trip down the Triple Crown trail. After winning his first two starts, Rescind the Trade will make his stakes debut in Saturday’s $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes at Aqueduct.
Machen, probably the most exciting 3-year-old prospect in New Orleans, made a successful transition from sprinting to routing when he won an entry-level allowance race Sunday. Now it’s time to see how Machen will stack up against stakes opponents, something he could try as soon as the Feb. 19 Risen Star Stakes at Fair Grounds.
The Billy Morey-trained Positive Response, winner of the Gold Rush and the California Derby, had an easy 48.40-second half-mile work Sunday at Golden Gate as part of his preparation for the $200,000 El Camino Real Derby on Feb. 12.
Six years ago, Bellamy Road thrust himself into the role of Kentucky Derby favorite with a dazzling 17 1/2-length victory in the Wood Memorial over Aqueduct’s main track. On Saturday, one of his sons, Toby's Corner, will attempt to take an initial step onto the Triple Crown trail when he runs in the $100,000 Whirlaway Stakes over Aqueduct’s inner track.
After winning Sunday's Grade 3 Holy Bull with Dialed In, trainer Nick Zito's biggest problem now isn't getting into the Kentucky Derby. It's figuring out how to get there. Among Zito’s options are to bring Dialed In back in the Fountain of Youth on Feb. 26 or find another race to use as a prep for the Grade 1 Florida Derby on April 3.
J P’s Gusto, a four-time stakes winner as a 2-year-old last year, is likely to make his 2010 debut in the $150,000 San Vicente Stakes over seven furlongs on Feb. 20, trainer David Hofmans said.
